Used car guide

2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupes, from 740 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

740MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
3,100typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for washers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupes than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Washers2.6× usual
    Smart (mcc) City Coupe
    9.3% All 2003 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 3.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.4× usual
    Smart (mcc) City Coupe
    7.2% All 2003 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Side repeaters2.5× usual
    Smart (mcc) City Coupe
    4.3% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 3.2% here, against 7.9% of all 2003 cars. Brake pads: 2.8% here, against 6.5% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupe MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006505Suspension 42%
2004548Lights and electrics 36%
2002517Lights and electrics 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Smart (mcc) City Coupes registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score